With an eye on the series victory, Australia will host New Zealand in the famous Boxing Day Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from Thursday. A win for Australia will see them extend their domination in the ongoing season while a win for New Zealand, or a draw, will keep the series alive.
A large crowd is expected to throng MCG on all five days of the Test. Both the teams will have forced changes. Lockie Ferguson, who suffered a calf issue, was replaced by Kyle Jamieson but he will not be handed his maiden Test cap. Australia will be without the services of Josh Hazlewood.
Tim Paine and co won the first Test by a big margin of 296 runs in Perth.
Conditions
The conditions at MCG are likely to assist pacers at the start and expect pacers to make most out of the conditions at the historic venue. Australia are contemplating to go in with four pacers.
Here is the likely playing XI of both the teams –
New Zealand
Trent Boult is confirmed to walk back into the playing XI in place of Ferguson. Tom Blundell has also been confirmed to replace opener Jeet Raval. The latter averages 7.3 in his previous nine Tests and it was an easy call to drop him. Blundell, who has played two Tests, had scored a century on his Test against West Indies in 2017.
New Zealand’s playing XI: Tom Blundell, Tom Latham, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, BJ Watling, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner
Australia –
Josh Hazlewood’s absence will see James Pattinson play his first home Test after four years. The home team did not reveal the playing XI and Tim Paine can go in with a fourth pacer in the form of Michael Neser. If he comes in, Travis Head will sit out. Peter Siddle, who was called in for this Test, is confirmed to sit out.
Australia’s likely playing XI: David Warner, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Matthew Wade, Tim Paine, Travis Head/Michael Neser, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson, Nathan Lyon
My Dream11 team for AUS vs NZ 2nd Test –
David Warner, Tom Latham (Captain), Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith (Vice-Captain), Ross Taylor, Matthew Wade, Colin de Grandhomme, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner